Josh Gordon stood a few feet from the octagon at Strong Style in Independence watching wide-eyed.

Heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic was putting on an evening sparring session while prepping for his UFC 220 bout with Francis Ngannou.

The Browns receiver paid a visit to Miocic on Dec. 21 to show support — and because he’s a big UFC fan. Also with Gordon was former Browns receiver Greg Little, who serves as Gordon’s manager.

Gordon and Miocic met once before when the Eastlake North grad was still emerging as a heavyweight contender. In 2014, Miocic visited Gordon and his Browns teammates at their Berea practice facility.

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That year marked Gordon’s last game with the Browns — Dec. 21 to be exact ­— until his return this season on Dec. 3 against the Chargers. Gordon was reinstated Nov. 1 by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after numerous suspensions for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. Gordon has missed 54 of the Browns’ last 59 games.

With Gordon back in the fold and living in Cleveland, he made it a point to visit Miocic at his place of training. Miocic is putting hischampionship belt on the line vs. Ngannou Jan. 20 in Boston.

“I rock with Stipe,” Gordon said. “I’m (back) in Cleveland. I’m gonna support him. I’m a fan, and it’s just awesome to be here.”

“Chuck has still got it,” Gordon said with a laugh. “I didn’t have a clue when it came to him.”

Gordon’s interest in MMA and UFC shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Browns wide receiver sees similarities between UFC and the NFL.

“The intensity ... it’s just something to behold,” Gordon said while keeping an eye on Miocic in a sparring session. “Being a professional athlete, it’s something to admire. The preparation, and how you stay locked in. That’s what I take away from this.

“It’s a warrior’s game, and honestly it’s taken me back to watching (actor Jean-Claude) Van Damme in (the film) ‘Bloodsport,’” Gordon said. “It’s next level. I love boxing. I’ve loved mixed martial arts since I was a kid. Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu ... I love it all.”

Gordon has followed Miocic’s career and rise to becoming the UFC heavyweight champion. Even though he watched Miocic train just a short while, there was value to it, he said.

“When you’re in the midst of being fatigued and possibly getting your butt kicked, at what point are you going to say I quit and fold, or are you going to find something deep down inside you and take it to another level?” Gordon said. “That’s the place where champions are born. He’s a champion, and me trying to become one — it’s something to learn from.”

With UFC 220 less than a month away, Gordon said he’s hopeful he will be in attendance in Boston.

“I’m going to do everything I can to be there,” he said.

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About the Author

Mark's an Ohio State graduate who's been with The News-Herald since 1996. He enjoys exercising, reading, writing, cooking, spending time with his family and college football. Reach the author at mpodolski@news-herald.com
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